Customer Reviews

The Martian Inca

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The real interest in this novel is the contact with alien life. The novel actually contains two stories -- two examples of contact with alien life from Mars. The one about the Inca could imho have been left out entirely. I think Watson tried to use this part to reinforce the archetypal images, which I feel ultimately drags down the story of the astronauts. However, this is a very ambitious novel that does succeed on a mythic level, and some readers may prefer this story that takes place on Earth. For me, the mystery of Martian life forms takes place in a stronger way with the space story. Could an encounter with an alien life form be of benefit to mankind in both a mental and physical way? This is the question Watson answers at least in a poetic fashion in this classic of science fiction. I had to read the last chapters a number of times to get at least some idea of Watson's conclusions. Even then, the answers do enter the realm of the mystic, which is, I guess, his forte as a writer.

Another book concerned with mental states and evolution. A crash landed Mars probe brings back dirt, with a bug. This lands in Bolivia, and the state of its victims is reminscent of Incan mummy leadership rituals, so starts a small revolution.

3 American astronauts are nearing Mars, so have the same issues to face. It appears the infection gives them some sort of strange religious and/or scientific insights.

Generally, becoming diseased and whacky is not good for you, whether a new Incan demigod, or a now Martian biology obsessed astronaut.

A little unsatisfying.

"A.I. Movie Celebration! Congrats Ian Watson! Steven Spielberg's blockbuster movie, A.I. - Artificial Intelligence, was based on a screen story by ...Ian Watson!...If you haven't read Watson's science fiction and horror stories, now is the time to try out the works of this master story teller. From 1990 to 1991, Ian worked full-time with Stanley Kubrick on story development for the A.I. movie. Steven Spielberg then took over production upon Kubrick's death." -From Fictionwise.com

I studied with Peruvianist Edward Putnam Lanning, Ph.D. and Richard Patch, Ph.D. or (was it Hatch) at Stony Brook and at Buffalo universities in New York State. Unfortunately both gentleman are deceased from the rigors of their work there I believe. Joel Grossman, Ph.D. who I worked for was a UNESCO archaeologist in Peru from Berkeley U is not despite "The Shining Path". This book is very good and has a high excitement factor. The annual day of agrarian reform, when the "latifundias" (read "plantations") were broken up in 1969, "The Day of the Condor," was celebrated just a few days ago. Long live the Andean condor and please help support the return of the American condor. This book inspires respect for them and the people of Peru. Free Lori Berenson!